How far is Gaines, MI from Detroit, MI?

The driving distance from Gaines, MI to Detroit, MI is about 73.9 miles (119 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.8 miles (93.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
73.94 mi
01h 18m
Flight
57.86 mi
93.12 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gaines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
57.86 mi
Kilometers
93.12 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
73.94 mi
Kilometers
119 km
Drive Time
01h 18m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit
Fri, Nov 6, 10:50 AM EST
Return by in Gaines
Fri, Nov 6, 12:08 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaines
2026-11-06T09:31
Arrive Detroit
Fri, Nov 6, 10:50 AM EST
Route Timing
01h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM EST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:52 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gaines
9:30 PM EST
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lake Angelus
MI

City in Oakland County, Michigan

From Gaines
37 mi
00h 39m
To Detroit
37 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
36°F
Overnight

Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 3:00 AM EST
Wind
9 mph NW
Destination
43°F
Overnight

Light Rain

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 1:00 AM EST
Wind
12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Gaines and Detroit.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gaines and Detroit.

  1. 1

    Start on West Lord Street

    27 m · 6 sec · West Lord Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Genesee Avenue

    93 m · 14 sec · Genesee Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Lansing Street

    1683 ft · 46 sec · East Lansing Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Ray Road

    3.1 mi · 8 min · Ray Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Seymour Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Seymour Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto West Baldwin Road

    12.7 mi · 17 min · West Baldwin Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto South Saginaw Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South Saginaw Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right

    1407 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto I-75 South

    53.9 mi · 58 min · I-75 South

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East

    1185 ft · 29 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive

    41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Congress Street

    2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gaines and Detroit.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-75 South
53.9 mi · 73%
West Baldwin Road
12.7 mi · 17%
Ray Road
3.07 mi · 4%
South Saginaw Road
1.32 mi · 2%
Seymour Road
1 mi · 1%
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
0.74 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-75 South

Merge slight right onto I-75 South

53.9 mi · 00h 58m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
57.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Angelus
00h 39m from Gaines
Leave By
3:52 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Cloudy leaving Gaines and Light Rain near Detroit.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gaines to Detroit?

The road trip is about 73.9 miles (119 km) and usually takes 01h 18m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lake Angelus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37 miles from Gaines and 37 miles from Detroit.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 57.8 miles (93.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:52 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.49 one way or $22.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Cloudy around Gaines and Light Rain near Detroit.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Angelus

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lake Angelus and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 10.9 mi away

Rochester Municipal Complex

Rochester , MI
400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307
City Hall,Emergency services,School,University
City of Pontiac
Meeting point 6.4 mi away

City of Pontiac

Pontiac , MI
47450 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342
Rating 3.3/5 32 reviews City government office,City administration,City clerk's office,Department of finance,Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Angelus.

RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

7 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

20 mi away
449 South Eton St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

20 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive
RAIL

Royal Oak station

27 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaines and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 57.86 mi (93.12 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Gaines

Human settlement in Genesee County, Michigan, United States of America

Population357
Coordinates42.8725300, -83.9141300
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Detroit

#2 Detroit

The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.

Population665,369
Coordinates42.3314300, -83.0457500
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: West Lord Street (-83.914191, 42.872465)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 119 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.61 gal
9.88 L · about $11.49
Round trip
$22.99
5.22 gal · 19.76 L
Estimated CO2
23.2 kg one way
Round trip: 46.4 kg / 102 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.40 $11.49 $22.99
Mid-grade $5.08 $13.26 $26.52
Premium $5.68 $14.83 $29.65
Diesel $6.63 $17.30 $34.60

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Michigan · Nov 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Gaines and Detroit. The current time is 09:31:05.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.